My last week :(
Trip Start
Jun 13, 2009
1
17
Trip End
Jul 26, 2009
Viña del Mar, Valparaíso, Chile
Sunday, July 26, 2009
I went to classes and home for lunch as usual on Tuesday, July 21. After my last class, we had a quick meeting for Intercambio Idiomas with one of the coordinators of the international programs. We filled out evaluation forms and discussed the activities we had done throughout our time in Chile. My group was definitely the best group! We had done so much more than any of the other groups, and I felt sorry for one of the groups that didn't meet up with their Chileans at all. The Chileans from my group, Fernanda and Juan Pablo, were so much fun to hang out with and I was able to practice speaking in Spanish. Since, Juan Pablo was sick, it was only Fernanda that we were able to say goodbye to. First, however, we went on one last mini adventure. We walked to Plaza Victoria in Valparaiso, and we finally convinced Crystal to ride the dragon ride that swung back and forth. I got quite the kick out of hearing her scream and say how much she hated us for making her go on it! She did admit, afterwards, that she had fun! When it began raining, we quickly decided to sit down inside a neat little cafe across the street from the plaza. I had the best hot chocolate! It was great to enjoy my group's company one last time, but we became sad knowing that we wouldn't get the chance to do this again. We said our goodbye's to Fernanda, and Crystal and I went to my house once again to work on our project/presentation. (We found out today that our presentation wasn't going to be until Thursday, so we had a little more time to prepare for it.)
Wednesday, July 21, was a little different than normal. At breakfast, Margarita told me that their next exchange students were going to be coming today! They were two girls from Vasco, an independent country in the north of Spain (at least I'm pretty sure that's what they said). The girls were studying primary education together at their University and would be doing the same here at PUCV for the fall semester until the beginning of December. They weren't scheduled to start the program until Saturday (the day I left), but they wanted to come early to get acquainted with the city and family before starting their classes. I was excited but nervous for them to get to the house because I didn't want to be compared to them. I got over the nervousness quickly when I remembered that it would be difficult for them to compare us since Spanish is their native language, and my purpose for coming to Chile was to learn Spanish and Chilean culture better. I went to both my classes, and when I arrived home after my second class, the girls had arrived. Margarita introduced me to Maria and Maite. They were such sweet girls! We chatted for a bit, and then I was off to finish preparing for my 20 minute part of the presentation that I was going to give on Thursday. After practicing what I was going to say, I spent some time talking to Maria and Maite again until Margarita called us up for once. Pablo, Jenny, and Oscar (hermano) had all arrived to meet the girls and to spend time with me, too! After eating and enjoying Chirimoya coladas with the family, I left to meet up with my American friends at the corner of Cafe Journal (our favorite meeting spot). I had invited Maria and Maite to come with me, but they were too tired from their flight and adjusting to the 6 hour time difference. From Cafe Journal, about 10 of us took a bus into Valparaiso to a dance club called Subterraneo or La Sala as most people called it. We had a blast dancing together and talking about what a great time we've been having in Chile! I'll never forget the awesome memories I've made with the other American students. We shared so many laughs, and of course they enjoyed making fun of my laugh and my squinty eyes! haha!
My presentation went well on Thursday afternoon during my second class. I was very excited to get home today because Margarita was going to take Maria, Maite, and I shopping in Vina. First, we went to Feria Artesania to pick up some last minute souvenirs for my family and friends! Maria and Maite had to exchange some of their money, and then we were off to the mall. I don't think the girls wanted to spend much time there because it was more expensive than what they're used to in their country. We arrived home around 8 PM, and I ate once with the whole family minus the Maria and Maite. Maria wasn't feeling well, so they both stayed in their room. They were sharing Oscar's room, so that means he'll actually have to live in his apartment now - haha! Maite will be moving into my room/Pablo's old room once I leave on Saturday afternoon. I've grown very fond of the room and will be sad to leave it. I fell asleep early on Thursday night after chatting, uploading, and showing pictures to Jenny and then studying for my grammar test.
My test went fairly well the next morning. I knew most of the answers and only missed a few questions. I picked up flowers after my grammar class and took them home over lunch to give to Margarita. She cried when I gave them to her, and I cried, obviously, after seeing her and my host dad cry. We were going to miss each other so much, but I still had another day to spend with them. I dried my eyes, and we had lunch together - just Margarita, Oscar (papa), and I. Maria and Maite had gone by themselves into Vina to do a little shopping. They often seemed to retreat to their rooms or go off by themselves. Hopefully, they get the opportunity to spend lots of time with the family. I know I learned so much from them, and hope that the girls can have as good of a relationship as I did with them. I returned to the University for my very last class in Chile ever. Since all of the presentations were complete in my culture/conversation class, we all went with our professor to Cafe O'Higgins for coffee, juice, and good conversations. It was a great time, as usual! Afterwards, I took my last Metro train ride with a few others back into Vina. At the house, Margarita helped me pack some of my stuff. I spent a few hours packing, until Pablo came down to my room to tell me that it was time to come up to help make empanadas! Pablo was making the dough and Jenny was filling and finishing the empanadas while both Oscars, Margarita, and I made Anticuchos (a bunch of different meats on a stick). Oscar (mi hermano) grilled the meat while Pablo made his famous piscosours! (His are definitely the best I've had in Chile!) I had such a blast, and Jenny even taught me how to make a couple of empanadas. Pablo thought it would be funny to make a huge empanada for Oscar (papa)! It was HUGE, taking up half the pan! Once Oscar saw it, they blamed it on me, saying it was all my idea - haha! After everything was ready, Maria and Maite came upstairs to join us for my fairwell Once and their welcome Once. Margarita made a toast, and we all dug in. There was sooo much food, and it was all very delicious! When we finished drinking our piscosours and eating a mountain of food. We daughters got ready to go out with Oscar (nuestro hermano). We left early tonight, around 10:30 PM, for a little trencito (to his apartment). I met a couple of new friends and had a great time talking and listening to music. We left later on to go to Huevo in Valparaiso. Something was wrong with our I.D.'s and the security guard wouldn't let us in, so we walked across the street to a different discoteca. There we danced, took many pictures (but not with my camera. I didn't want to lose mine.), and enjoyed each other's company for one last night out (for the time being anyway). After leaving the dance club, we found that one of Oscar's back windows had been broken into. Luckily, nothing was stolen, but we had to be careful cleaning out his back seat, so we could get home safely.
The next morning, I finished packing the rest of my stuff. For my last lunch, Margarita made chorillanas! I ate with Pablo and Jenny. Pablo carried my luggage upstairs, and I said my goodbyes to the family. This was definitely the hardest part. I first said goodbye to Oscar (papa), who was the one to start the crying. Then, I said goodbye to Uncle Juan. Oscar (mi hermano) had finally woken up, and we shared a long hug goodbye. He made me promise that I would come back soon to visit! Of course I will! Next in line was Antonia and then Jenny (and the baby). I can't wait until I get to meet the baby! It was very difficult to walk out of the house, knowing that it will be a long time before I get to see any of them in person. Pablo drove Margarita and I down to Teatro Municipal where I met with the rest of the students from my program and various other programs. Everyone had too much luggage, and another bus had to be rented just to hold all of the luggage. We waited in the sun for about an hour, and we said our final goodbyes to eachother with many tears! It won't be the last time that I see them. I hope to be back in January or February if not sooner! I already can't wait.
I slept the entire way to the airport in Santiago (as did most of the other American students on the bus). We were able to go through security checks together and had a short wait where we took last minute pictures and talked about our experiences! I'm glad so many of us had the same flight to Atlanta. It definitely made the waiting time seem shorter. Also, I sat with one of the girls from my program, Krystle, which made the flight seem even shorter. We chatted on the flight until we fell asleep. In Atlanta, it took us forever to get our luggage, recheck it, and go through customs and the other security checks. I had to rebook my flight because my plane had left only 2 minutes before I arrived at the gate. What a bummer. Oh well, I only had to wait about 2 hours for the next flight out. It was great to see my real parents again back in the Louisville airport. I had so many stories to share with them on our ride home and so many more to tell them!
I remain in contact with my host family via Facebook. It was so sweet yet sad to see that my brother Oscar's Facebook status was "Extrano a mi hermana Erin :-( " (I miss my sister, Erin). I grew so close to the family and will miss hanging out and learning from them. Don't get me wrong, I love spending time with my family and friends here in Indiana and have missed them a lot. I think that everyone I love should just move to Chile, and we can spend our days walking along the beaches with family and our nights dancing with friends! (What a life that would be!!!) I want to thank everyone for their tremendous support throughout the summer. I've had the most wonderful, unforgettable experience! I hope you've all enjoyed my blogs and photos. If you're curious about anything else, please shoot me an email at erintroesch@yahoo.com.
Gracias por todo a mis familias y amigos!
Me voy a los Estados Unidos pero vuelvo pronto!
Se quiero mucho a Uds.
Chao y nos vemos!
Erin
